Growing military families would have more avenues to receive essential prenatal care under reintroduced legislation that would make pregnancy a qualifying life event (QLE) under TRICARE.

While commercial plans may not recognize pregnancy as a QLE, TRICARE policy must address the unique nature of the direct care system of military hospitals and clinics. Long waits, health care “deserts,” understaffed military treatment facilities (MTFs), and other concerns make the Improving Access to Prenatal Care for Military Families Act a needed change to support those who serve.

[TAKE ACTION: Help Military Families Secure Prenatal Care]

“Health care access is a key quality of life issue impacting military family readiness, particularly when expecting a baby,” MOAA President and CEO Lt. Gen. Brian T. Kelly, USAF (Ret), said in a July 10 press release announcing the bill’s reintroduction. “With capacity constraints in both the military and civilian health systems, it is more important than ever to address barriers to accessing vital prenatal care essential to positive outcomes. The Improving Access to Prenatal Care for Military Families Act would provide the flexibility to switch TRICARE plans during pregnancy so beneficiaries can seek prenatal care that meets their needs.”

Sens. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) and Andy Kim (D-N.J.) introduced the bill (S. 2239) in the Senate; it had 12 cosponsors as of July 14. Rep. Teri Sewell (D-Ala.) introduced a House version (H.R. 4381); she and Kim led House efforts on the bill in the 118th Congress.

The text of the legislation appears in the House version of the FY 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), as it did in last year’s version. Text of the Senate version was not available as of July 16; the measure was not in the FY 2025 Senate NDAA draft and did not appear in the final bill.

Without this change in law, expectant military families would need to wait until the annual open season to change their TRICARE plan, even though families facing other life-changing events – including the adoption of a child – can switch plans outside that short window.

“After all the sacrifices they make for our nation each and every day, our military families should never have to face arbitrary, needless barriers to access prenatal care,” Duckworth said in the release. “Our commonsense legislation would help make it easier for our brave servicemembers and military spouses to access the high-quality care they need and deserve as they build their families.”

Ask your lawmakers to support the Improving Access to Prenatal Care for Military Families Act, and keep up with this legislation and other bills that may affect your health care access at our MOAA news page.